Left-wingers want to further improve tenant protection

The Left Party wants to restrict the conversion of rented apartments into owner-occupied apartments and thus further improve tenant protection. The Infrastructure Minister Regina Kraushaar (CDU), who is now responsible for housing, is also protecting owners and letting tenants down, explained Juliane Nagel, member of the state parliament. Saxony's government continues to refuse to make it more difficult to convert rental apartments into condominiums and to enforce longer protection against dismissal for affected rental households.

Nagel referred to the answer to a minor question she submitted to parliament. Kraushaar referred to an earlier response from the fall of 2024, when she had stated that the government was "fundamentally refraining from further intervention". In the answer to the current question, she wrote that an expert opinion was currently being prepared, which would also examine the requirements for measures. The results are expected this summer.

Tenants feel threatened by terminations due to ownership

According to Nagel, Leipzig and Dresden had repeatedly asked the Free State to issue corresponding legal ordinances. In both cities, the housing market is considered to be tight and a lot of housing is being sold there. Tenants felt threatened in both cities, said the MP. "They are not protected if their rented apartment is turned into a condominium or new landlords throw them out the door by giving them notice for personal use in order to achieve a higher return."

Tight situation in Leipzig and Dresden already proven

"In summer 2026, an expert report is to be presented on the question of which Saxon municipalities have a 'tight housing market'. This is the right step, but it comes far too late," emphasized Nagel. For the rent cap and rent limitation ordinance, it has long been established that this situation exists in Leipzig and Dresden. Rents are also rising in the surrounding areas, for example in the municipalities of Belgershain and Borsdorf near Leipzig. There must be tenant protection instruments here too.

A passage in the German Building Code - Section 250 - makes it more difficult to convert rental apartments into condominiums in areas with tight housing markets. In addition, the notice period for affected rental households can be extended from three to up to ten years. However, an ordinance from the Free State is required for both regulations. Leipzig first applied for this in 2021 and Dresden in 2023.